CD329: Citizens Detained
Congressional Dish
In this episode, hear testimony that Republican leadership refused to make part of the official Congressional Record—stories from U.S. citizens who were violently arrested and jailed by agents of the Department of Homeland Security, often while clearly identifying themselves as Americans. This is not rhetoric, speculation, or partisan spin; it is sworn testimony, backed by a Senate investigation, and it raises a terrifying question: if this can happen to them, what stops it from happening to any of us? Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via ...
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CD328: November Laws & Vaccine Chaos
Congressional Dish
In this two-topic episode, we break down what became law in November—including the shutdown deal that reopened the government and the dingleberries that were quietly slipped into it. Then we revisit the hearing on the firing of the CDC Director, focusing on a politicized vaccine advisory committee that has changed its recommendation for the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments...
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CD327: 23AndMe and the Sale of Your DNA
Congressional Dish
Millions of people have trusted 23andMe with their most intimate data—but what happens when a company holding 15 million DNA profiles goes bankrupt? In this episode, you’ll hear highlights from bipartisan House and Senate hearings exposing how genetic data can be hacked, shared, retained, and even sold under current U.S. law. Using testimony from lawmakers, legal experts, and 23andMe leaders, this episode uncovers the alarming gaps in federal privacy protections and explains why your genetic information—and even your relatives’—may be far less secure than you think. Please Support...
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CD326: October 2025 — Slippery Barnacles
Congressional Dish
In this episode, you’ll hear what actually happened in Congress during October 2025, a month dominated by a record-breaking shutdown. While the House was on vacation, the Senate enacted mass confirmations of over 100 Trump-aligned nominees—many with extreme views, conflicts of interest, or industry ties—as well as the surprising bipartisan pushback against Trump’s global tariff abuses. We also examine the Senate’s failed attempt to stop Trump’s unauthorized overseas boat strikes. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via ...
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CD325: Politics Trump Science at the CDC
Congressional Dish
After months of chaos under Trump’s second term, a shocking Senate hearing exposes how HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has politicized the CDC—firing scientists, silencing evidence, and demanding blind approval of vaccine changes. This episode dives into testimony from former CDC leaders and the rare moment of bipartisan oversight that could mark a turning point for accountability in Congress. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to:...
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CD324: Sept 2025: Destruction of Norms
Congressional Dish
A summary of September 2025. From new laws on veterans’ health, privacy, and export controls to a wave of Trump-era nominees confirmed in bulk — including several with jaw-dropping conflicts of interest — this month was a mess. In addition to new laws and confirmations, there were failed censure stunts, a delayed swearing-in that’s blocking a vote on the Epstein files, and yet another avoidable government shutdown. Both parties are playing games while regular people pay the price. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support...
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CD323: Shutdown Bad
Congressional Dish
Congress is once again playing with fire, and this time it’s the Democrats holding the match. In today’s episode, I’m sounding the alarm about a looming government shutdown that could hit at midnight on September 30th. History tells us shutdowns backfire on the party that demands partisan add-ons to must-pass funding bills, yet Democrats are betting they can use that same failed strategy and escape the blame. I’ll walk you through the shutdown showdowns of the past decade, explain what’s different—and more dangerous—about this moment, and lay out the real costs to workers,...
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CD322: Last Quarter in Congress — Indefinite Detention, Regulation Murders & Empowered Trump Minions
Congressional Dish
Since the beginning of this Congress, there have been 24 new laws signed and dozens of confirmations shaping our government in President Trump’s second term. From the Laken Riley Act’s attack on immigrant rights, to the One Big Beautiful Bill’s devastating effects on healthcare and the environment, to quiet but powerful confirmations of billionaires, bankers, and loyalists into positions that control our economy and foreign policy, this is a moment when Congress is rewriting the rules of our democracy. If you want to understand how decisions made in Washington are enriching corporations,...
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CD321: One Big Beautiful Bill — the Money
Congressional Dish
Part 2 of the “Big Beautiful Bill”. In this episode, we examine tax cuts and tax increases for the wealthy, the corporations, and for the rest of us. We examine the winners and losers chosen by the Republicans and what it all means for you. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com Use your bank’s online bill pay...
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CD320: One Big Beautiful Bill — a Dangerous Law
Congressional Dish
The One Big Beautiful Bill is now officially law, ushering in a sweeping wave of reforms that promise to reshape the nation. In this episode, we unpack the concerning changes it brings to immigration policy, environmental protections, and health care coverage—three pillars that will directly impact millions of lives. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to:...
info_outlineFTX, a large cryptocurrency exchange, recently went bankrupt, leading to calls for government regulation of cryptocurrencies. But you might be wondering, what are cryptocurrencies? In part one of this two-part series, listen to expert testimony provided over a four-year period informing Congress about the cryptocurrency industry, the promise of blockchain, problems - both real and overblown - with this new technology, and how best to regulate this complicated industry.
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Background Sources
Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes
CD235: The Safe Haven of Sanctions Evaders
CD262: Inside C-SPAN with Howard Mortman
Proof of Work
Jake Frankenfield. May 2, 2022. "What Is Proof of Work (PoW) in Blockchain?" Investopedia.
Initial Coin Offering (ICO)
Jake Frankenfield. Aug 18, 2022. “Initial Coin Offering (ICO): Coin Launch Defined, with Examples.” Investopedia.
Sherwin Dowlat. Jul 11, 2018. “Cryptoasset Market Coverage Initiation: Network Creation.” Satis Group.
Madison Cawthorn
The Associated Press. Dec 7, 2022. "Rep. Madison Cawthorn broke rules over a 'meme' crypto, a House panel finds." NPR.
Regulations
Cheyenne Ligon. Dec 5, 2022. “The ‘Good Cop and Bad Cop’ of US Crypto Regulations.” CoinDesk.
Bills
S.4760 - Digital Commodities Consumer Protection Act of 2022
Sponsor: Sen. Debbie Stabenow
Audio Sources
Cleaning Up Cryptocurrency: The Energy Impacts of Blockchains
January 20, 2022
House Committee on Energy & Commerce, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
Witnesses:
Ari Juels, Weill Family Foundation and Joan and Sanford I. Weill Professor, Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute, Cornell Tech
John Belizaire, Chief Executive Officer, Soluna Computing, Inc.
Brian Brooks, Chief Executive Officer, BitFury
Steve Wright, Former Chief Executive Officer, Chelan County Public Utility District and Bonneville Power Administration
Gregory Zerzan, Shareholder Jordan Ramis P.C.
Schemes and Subversion: How Bad Actors and Foreign Governments Undermine and Evade Sanctions Regimes
June 16, 2021
House Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy
Witnesses:
Jesse Spiro, Global Head of Policy & Regulatory Affairs, Chainalysis
Eric B. Lorber, Senior Director, Center on Economic and Financial Power, Foundation for Defense of Democracies
Dollars Against Democracy: Domestic Terrorist Financing in the Aftermath of Insurrection
February 25, 2021
House Financial Services Committee, Subcommittee on National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy
Witness
Daniel Glaser, Former Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes, U.S. Department of the Treasury
Examining Regulatory Frameworks for Digital Currencies and Blockchain
July 30, 2019
Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Committee concluded a hearing to examine regulatory frameworks for digital currencies and blockchain, including S. 2243, to amend the Expedited Funds Availability Act to require that funds deposited be available for withdrawal in real-time.
Witnesses:
Jeremy Allaire, Co-Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Circle, on behalf of The Blockchain Association
Dr. Rebecca M. Nelson, Specialist in International Trade and Finance, Congressional Research Service
Professor Mehrsa Baradaran, Professor of Law, University of California, Irvine School of Law
Exploring the Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Ecosystem
October 11, 2018
Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Committee concluded a hearing to examine the cryptocurrency and blockchain ecosystem, including S. 3179, to require the Comptroller General of the United States to carry out a study on how virtual currencies and online marketplaces are used to buy, sell, or facilitate the financing of goods or services associated with sex trafficking or drug trafficking.
Witnesses:
Dr. Nouriel Roubini, Professor of Economics and International Business, New York University Stern School of Business
Peter Van Valkenburgh, Director of Research, Coin Center
Cover Art
Design by Only Child Imaginations